Help me upgrade

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pkp1460

Commendable
Apr 23, 2016
3
0
1,510
So i've been thinking recently about upgrading my PC, i only use it for gaming and internet browsing but it's starting to struggle with newer game releases. I built it 5 years ago and i'm not quite sure where to begin now.

My specs are:
Asus P8Z68-VLX
I3 2120 (Stock cooler)
GTX 560TI
8GB RAM
Corsair 80plus 600W PSU

It's worth noting that my OS is windows 7 OEM, i'd like to avoid changing the mobo if possible, i've heard you need a clean OS install and i have no disks, no keys etc....

I've been thinking of getting an I5 (don't know which) and a GTX 970.... my next game purchase will be darksouls3

What do you guys think? Any advice appreciated.
 
Solution
Ecky
The Modstream is not a top-tier power supply, but it should be plenty and then some for any CPU you choose and any single video card. My i5 3570K an HD7850 (same as R9 370) only draw about 175w, for instance.

For that budget, my suggestion would be a used i5 3570K if you might overclock, or i5 3570 if you don't. These CPUs are very cheap on eBay, and are very hardy, so I wouldn't be concerned about buying one used. The i7 3770 and 3770K are good CPUs too but the extra 4 threads that hyperthreading brings will not benefit you in most games.

Take the rest of the budget and put it toward a video card. Some good choices include the Radeon 290/290X, GTX 970, Radeon 390/X, GTX 980. AMD's cards are generally more power hungry and...
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Ecky

Ecky

Illustrious
Feb 3, 2013
7,592
2
38,960
I agree, get an i5 and GTX 970.

Since you have a Z68 board, you can potentially overclock. An i5 2500K or i5 3570K are the models that are completely unlocked. However, any i5 25xx or i5 35xx will fit in your board and work properly. I would not turn down a screaming deal on an i5 3570 (non-K) for instance.
 
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Ecky

Ecky

Illustrious
Feb 3, 2013
7,592
2
38,960
The Modstream is not a top-tier power supply, but it should be plenty and then some for any CPU you choose and any single video card. My i5 3570K an HD7850 (same as R9 370) only draw about 175w, for instance.

For that budget, my suggestion would be a used i5 3570K if you might overclock, or i5 3570 if you don't. These CPUs are very cheap on eBay, and are very hardy, so I wouldn't be concerned about buying one used. The i7 3770 and 3770K are good CPUs too but the extra 4 threads that hyperthreading brings will not benefit you in most games.

Take the rest of the budget and put it toward a video card. Some good choices include the Radeon 290/290X, GTX 970, Radeon 390/X, GTX 980. AMD's cards are generally more power hungry and inefficient, but offer better performance per dollar.
 
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